Huddersfield Giants 24-36 York Knights: Magic WKND Match Report

York Knights earned back to back wins for the first time in Betfred Super League, with a 36-24 victory over Huddersfield Giants in their first appearance at Magic WKND.

The result has opened up a six point gap between the Knights and the Giants, who sit bottom of the table.

An eleven minute spell in the second half saw York run in three tries to open up an unassailable lead.

Jon Bennison and Cody Hunter both got a brace in the game, as York posted seven tries in all to build on momentum from last week’s win at Castleford Tigers.

It was Bennison who opened the scoring after an opening period that saw play swing from end to end. After Huddersfield had a try ruled out from Tanguy Zenon, York moved upfield and Bennison showed some great footwork to weave his way over the line.

Eventually, Huddersfield built some pressure on York’s line, and Chris Patolo was sent through a gap, and when George Flanagan converted, Huddersfield went into the lead for what was the only time in the game.

However, some strong defence coupled with Huddersfield errors, allowed York to hit straight back. Cody Hunter scored from an individual effort, showing strength to force his way over and ground the ball despite having three Giants men hanging on to him for a converted try.

The Knights were looking increasingly confident throwing the ball around. Nikau Williams went close to stretching the lead only to knock on over the tryline, and with Huddersfield making mistakes, York were handling what was thrown at them.

A looping ball out wide from Hunter found David Nofoaluma in space at the corner, and the Knights took an eight point lead into half time.

That lead soon narrowed to just two points after the break, as Huddersfield played with pace to get Zane Dunford over the line for a converted try.

York then hit a really dominant patch, scoring three tries in just over 10 minutes, which made sure Huddersfield had too much to do to get back into it.

First, Williams got around the outside of the defence to reach out to score, before Denive Balmforth finished a move he started to go in beneath the posts. Hunter threw a huge dummy to go in for his second. Bennison converted all three and York were 18 points clear.

Moments later, Nofoaluma was denied a second because of obstruction in the build up, but when York moved the ball wide again to Bennison, he strolled in for his second.

Huddersfield scored twice before the end of the game, with Oli Russell taking advantage after a Tui Lolohea break, before Flanagan went through to get the final points of the game which saw York clinch a deserved two league points.

Huddersfield: Flanagan Jr, Milne, Zenon, Wrench, Swift, Lolohea, Russell, Rogers, Woolford, Patolo, O’Donnell, Dunford, Gozza

Subs: (all used) Geyer, Powell, Greenwood, Rushton

18th Player: English (used)

Tries: Patolo (20), Dunford (46), Russell (74), Flanagan Jr (78)

Goals: Flanagan Jr (4/4)

York: Mata’afa, Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hunter, McShane, Martin, Inman, Va’a, Buchanan, Field, Thompson

Subs: (all used) Balmforth, Vaughan, Hudson, HIngano

18th Player: Foster

Tries: Bennison (13, 68), Hunter (24,61) Nofoaluma (38), Williams (50), Balmforth (56)

Goals: Hunter (1/3), Bennison (3/4)

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